Next story:

Fairchild Semiconductor to cut 120 jobs in South Portland

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – Fairchild Semiconductor, which previously announced plans for layoffs last month, says 120 jobs will be cut over the next nine months in South Portland, Maine.

Fairchild said Wednesday it plans to improve productivity and lower costs by cutting jobs and reorganizing its manufacturing lines. Benny Chang, Fairchild’s vice president and managing director, said the goal is to make Fairchild’s South Portland plant more competitive and “build a foundation for sustainable future growth.”

Fairchild’s silicon chips are used in cell phones and other electronic devices. The company, which employs about 800 in South Portland, faces competition from chip manufacturers around the world.